Redmond, WA - It is with great sadness the City of Redmond mourns the loss of retired Police Chief Steven R. Harris. Chief Harris was tragically killed in a traffic collision yesterday. His wife, Magi, was a passenger in the vehicle and was critically injured in the collision. The Washington State Patrol is investigating and all questions related to the collision will be referred to WSP.

Chief Harris has a distinguished law enforcement career spanning over 40 years. He served as Chief of Police for Redmond for 28 years, retiring in 2009. Chief Harris embodied community oriented policing and built many long standing partnerships in the community. Chief Harris was the Past President of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) from 1992-1993. Chief Harris was nationally known for his development of law enforcement and corporate partnerships as a means of reducing crime.. During his tenure, the Redmond Police Department received national recognition by Good Housekeeping Magazine as one of the eight best suburban law enforcement agencies in the United States.

Redmond Mayor John Marchione stated, “Retired Chief Harris’s lasting legacy includes developing the department from a small town police force to a professional organization." Current Chief Ron Gibson related that Chief Harris was known throughout the law enforcement community as a leader in information sharing efforts and crime fighting tactics to keep our community safe.

Our thoughts are with the Harris family during this tragedy. The Harris family is requesting privacy at this time. Memorial services have not been determined.